IT operations careers and skills
IT operations administrators wear many different hats, which comes with many necessary skills and knowledge. From coding and automation to soft skills and collaboration, IT ops admins are kept on their toes. Get expert tips on enhancing your ITOps career.
Top Stories
-
Conference Coverage
19 Mar 2024
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024 news coverage
Trying to keep up with the latest news out of KubeCon + CloudNativeCon? Use this comprehensive guide to stay updated and informed on both the European and North American events. Continue Reading
-
Feature
31 Jan 2024
11 best free DevOps certifications and training courses in 2024
Learn why DevOps is important and how getting certified can help launch a career in the field with these 11 free certifications for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Continue Reading
-
Conference Coverage
19 Mar 2024
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024 news coverage
Trying to keep up with the latest news out of KubeCon + CloudNativeCon? Use this comprehensive guide to stay updated and informed on both the European and North American events. Continue Reading
-
Definition
15 Mar 2024
return on investment (ROI)
Return on investment (ROI) is a crucial financial metric investors and businesses use to evaluate an investment's efficiency or compare the efficiencies of several different investments. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Feb 2024
revenue cycle management (RCM)
Revenue cycle management (RCM) is the financial process, utilizing medical billing software, that healthcare facilities use to track patient care episodes from registration and appointment scheduling to the final payment of a balance to ensure proper identification, collection and management of revenues from patient services. Continue Reading
-
Feature
31 Jan 2024
11 best free DevOps certifications and training courses in 2024
Learn why DevOps is important and how getting certified can help launch a career in the field with these 11 free certifications for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Continue Reading
-
Definition
25 Jan 2024
DevOps engineer
A DevOps engineer is an IT professional who works with software developers, systems operators and other production IT staff to oversee code releases and deployments. Continue Reading
-
Definition
25 Jan 2024
shared services
Shared services is a delivery model organizations use to consolidate similar business functions into a single unit that supports the entire organization. Continue Reading
-
Definition
17 Jan 2024
startup culture
A startup culture is a workplace environment that values creative problem-solving, open communication and a flat hierarchy. Continue Reading
-
Definition
12 Jan 2024
runlevel
A runlevel is an operating state on a Unix and Unix-based operating system that is preset on the Linux-based system. Continue Reading
-
Definition
11 Jan 2024
paternalistic leadership
Paternalistic leadership is a managerial approach that involves a dominant authority figure who acts as a patriarch or matriarch and treats employees and partners as though they were members of a large, extended family. Continue Reading
-
Definition
10 Jan 2024
GNU Project
The GNU Project is a mass collaborative initiative for the development of free software, specifically a free operating system called GNU. Continue Reading
-
Definition
08 Jan 2024
cost price
Cost price is the total amount of money that it costs a manufacturer to produce a given product or provide a given service. Continue Reading
-
Definition
26 Dec 2023
pilot program (pilot study)
A pilot program, also called a feasibility study or experimental trial, is a small-scale, short-term experiment that helps an organization learn how a large-scale project might work in practice. Continue Reading
-
Tip
20 Dec 2023
SRE vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
The lines between site reliability engineering and DevOps aren't always clear. Building a harmonious relationship between the teams starts with understanding their distinct roles. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Dec 2023
localization
Localization is the process of adapting and customizing a product to meet the needs of a specific market, as identified by its language, culture, expectations, local standards and legal requirements. Continue Reading
-
Definition
18 Dec 2023
holistic (holistic technology)
Holistic technology is an approach to IT management that considers the infrastructure as a whole instead of as a collection of individual systems. Continue Reading
-
Definition
11 Dec 2023
IT cost structure
IT cost structure refers to the relationship between different types of expenditures within a larger IT budget. Continue Reading
-
Feature
22 Nov 2023
Geek gift guide 2023: Security first, at home and on the go
The COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended in 2023, but the threat of cyberattacks grew. Geeks had security on their minds, along with home comforts and travel gear. Continue Reading
-
Definition
20 Nov 2023
process innovation
Process innovation refers to a change in an existing operation or product that creates significant value for an organization. Continue Reading
-
Definition
16 Nov 2023
platform engineering
Platform engineering is a specialized discipline within software development that focuses on designing, building, maintaining and improving the toolchains and workflows software developers use. Continue Reading
-
Definition
08 Nov 2023
ITIL V3
ITIL V3 is the third version of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), a globally recognized collection of best practices for managing IT and for implementing IT service management (ITSM) practices. Continue Reading
-
Definition
07 Nov 2023
ICT (information and communications technology or technologies)
ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing. Continue Reading
- Definition 06 Nov 2023
-
Definition
01 Nov 2023
cross-functional team
A cross-functional team is a workgroup made up of employees from different functional areas within an organization who collaborate to reach a stated objective. Continue Reading
-
Definition
19 Oct 2023
site reliability engineering (SRE)
Site reliability engineering (SRE) is the application of scripting and automation to IT operations tasks such as maintenance and support. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Sep 2023
10 DevOps engineer skills to add to your resume
DevOps plays a critical role in modern IT. As app development and deployment practices change, orgs will seek pros with hands-on experience -- and the skills to match. Continue Reading
-
Definition
26 Sep 2023
AI prompt
An artificial intelligence (AI) prompt is a mode of interaction between a human and a large language model that lets the model generate the intended output. Continue Reading
-
Definition
22 Sep 2023
enterprise IT (enterprise-class IT)
Enterprise-class IT (also known as enterprise-grade, or enterprise IT) is hardware, software and other IT services designed to meet the demands of a large organization. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Sep 2023
AI prompt engineer
An AI prompt engineer is an expert in creating text-based prompts or cues that can be interpreted and understood by large language models and generative AI tools. Continue Reading
-
Definition
15 Sep 2023
IT modernization
IT modernization is the process of updating an organization's information technology infrastructure, practices and systems to keep up with emerging technologies. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Sep 2023
10 common platform engineering interview questions
Platform engineering is gaining popularity across software enterprises. Job candidates can practice answering these 10 common questions to prepare for their interviews. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Sep 2023
Top 10 generative AI courses and training resources
These wide-ranging resources help users of all skill levels learn the ins and outs of generative AI, offer advice and training on tools, and help users keep up with trends. Continue Reading
-
Definition
31 Aug 2023
IT controls
An IT control is a procedure or policy that provides a reasonable assurance that the information technology (IT) used by an organization operates as intended, that data is reliable and that the organization is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Aug 2023
IT organization (information technology organization)
An IT organization (information technology organization) is the department within a company that's charged with establishing, monitoring and maintaining information technology systems and services. Continue Reading
-
Definition
29 Aug 2023
IT audit (information technology audit)
An IT audit is the examination and evaluation of an organization's information technology, operations and controls. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Aug 2023
ISACA
ISACA is an independent, nonprofit, global association that engages in the development, adoption and use of globally accepted information system (IS) knowledge and practices. Continue Reading
-
Definition
28 Aug 2023
deputy CIO (deputy chief information officer)
Deputy CIO (chief information officer) is a role within some organizations that generally has responsibility for overseeing day-to-day information technology (IT) operations. Continue Reading
-
Definition
24 Aug 2023
cohort learning
Cohort learning is a learning strategy prioritizing coursework or lessons that groups of students complete together in an interactive fashion. Continue Reading
-
Tip
22 Aug 2023
How to build and organize a machine learning team
Explore the process of building an ML team, including reasons to build one and descriptions of the core roles of project manager, data engineer, data scientist and ML engineer. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Aug 2023
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a service in Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes) that allows download from and upload of files to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web servers and Server Message Block (SMB) file servers. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Aug 2023
How to kickstart a proof-of-concept IT project
Like any IT initiative, operations staff need a clear vision for a proof-of-concept project. From the justification to reporting stages, knowing the steps can bolster PoC success. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Aug 2023
26 tips to get the most out of a conference
With conference season fast approaching, use these tips to show up prepared to make the most out of your experience -- before, during and after the event. Continue Reading
-
Definition
08 Aug 2023
Ubuntu
Ubuntu (pronounced oo-BOON-too) is a free, open source operating system (OS) based on Debian Linux. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Jul 2023
invitation to tender (ITT)
An invitation to tender (ITT) is a formal document that is issued by a company or an organization inviting suppliers or contractors to submit a bid for a project or service. Continue Reading
-
Definition
17 Jul 2023
machine learning engineer (ML engineer)
A machine learning engineer (ML engineer) is a person in IT who focuses on researching, building and designing self-running artificial intelligence (AI) systems to automate predictive models. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Jul 2023
4 sustainability leaders reveal career path, challenges, goals
There's a demand for companies to create dedicated sustainability roles. Here are key insights and advice from four sustainability leaders on how to succeed in this career path. Continue Reading
-
Feature
11 Jul 2023
Practice troubleshooting Kubernetes clusters using log data
Knowing how to interpret application logs is essential for successful Kubernetes troubleshooting. Get hands-on practice with this walkthrough from Kubernetes expert Chad Crowell. Continue Reading
-
Feature
11 Jul 2023
A Kubernetes expert shares CKA exam preparation tips
Kubernetes admin and author Chad M. Crowell discusses how to prep for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam, whether getting a Kubernetes certification is worth it and more. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 Jun 2023
3 IT and DevOps trends to watch in the second half of 2023
From managing cloud costs in an uncertain economy to embracing AI and other emerging technologies, IT leaders face major challenges as they head into the second half of 2023. Continue Reading
-
Definition
23 Jun 2023
meter per second (m/s)
The meter per second (m/s) is the standard unit of speed and velocity in the International System of Units. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 Jun 2023
prototyping model
The prototyping model is a systems development method in which a prototype is built, tested and then reworked as necessary until an acceptable outcome is achieved from which the complete system or product can be developed. Continue Reading
-
Definition
05 Jun 2023
continual service improvement
Continual service improvement (CSI) is a method to identify and execute opportunities to improve IT processes and services, and to objectively measure the effects of these efforts over time. Continue Reading
-
Definition
02 Jun 2023
Request for Offer (RFO)
A Request for Offer (RFO) is a document an organization issues to solicit bids or proposals from potential suppliers for goods or services. Continue Reading
-
Definition
01 Jun 2023
Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)
A Chief Medical Information Officer, or CMIO, essentially serves as the bridge between medical and IT departments at a healthcare organization. Continue Reading
-
Definition
01 Jun 2023
business capability
A business capability is the ability of an organization to achieve a specific outcome or objective. Continue Reading
-
News
25 May 2023
AI and automation take center stage at AnsibleFest 2023
Amid excitement around the possibilities raised by AI and automation, experts at Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2023 highlighted the importance of trust and responsibility. Continue Reading
-
News
23 May 2023
Ansible Lightspeed leads Red Hat generative AI agenda
Red Hat leans on IBM's expertise in training Watson Code Assistant to write Ansible playbooks, as worries linger about AI-generated code risks and rivals hold a strong lead. Continue Reading
-
Feature
19 May 2023
World's 10 best cities for tech workers
Explore the key characteristics that make each city stand out, such as high pay, low cost of living, job opportunities and innovation. Continue Reading
-
Definition
18 May 2023
Mini-ITX
Mini-ITX is a compact motherboard configuration designed to support relatively low-cost computers in small spaces such as in automobiles, set-top boxes and network devices. Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 May 2023
5 best practices for building a strong DevOps culture
Under the CALMS framework, establishing an open, collaborative culture from the outset is just as important as tools and technologies when starting out on your DevOps journey. Continue Reading
-
Definition
11 May 2023
telecommuting
Telecommuting allows an employee to complete work assignments from outside the traditional workplace using telecommunications tools such as email, phone, chat and video apps. Continue Reading
-
News
10 May 2023
Cloud repatriation vs. multi-cloud: IT seeks cost relief
Amid fiscal worries, IT orgs reassess cloud investments. Whether they go back on-premises or expand to multi-cloud, they face similar distributed computing management challenges. Continue Reading
-
Feature
26 Apr 2023
The promises and risks of AI in software development
Incorporating AI into software development could be transformative, but it raises ethical and practical concerns. What does AI-generated code mean for the tech sector's future? Continue Reading
-
News
25 Apr 2023
KubeCon highlights open source to combat climate change
Addressing climate change takes a community. At KubeCon Europe 2023, experts discussed how open source practices and projects can foster sustainability. Continue Reading
-
Definition
24 Apr 2023
systems operator (sysop)
In IT, a systems operator (sysop) is a person who runs computer servers and other devices on a daily basis in a data center. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Apr 2023
Build, operate, transfer (BOT)
Build, operate, transfer (BOT) is a project management technique where a company hires a third-party firm to create a new subsidiary or product. Continue Reading
-
Definition
18 Apr 2023
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification that was offered by Microsoft for IT professionals who demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and administering Windows server infrastructure, as well as other Microsoft technologies. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Apr 2023
Apache
In computers, the Apache Software Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining many open source software projects. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Apr 2023
mutation testing
Mutation testing, also known as code mutation testing, is a form of white box testing in which testers change specific components of an application's source code to ensure a software test suite can detect the changes. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Apr 2023
reactance
Reactance is a form of opposition generated by components in an electric circuit when alternating current (AC) passes through it. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Apr 2023
Platform engineering vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
Platform engineering and DevOps both contribute to successful software development, but it's important to understand the nuances between the two functions in an IT organization. Continue Reading
-
Feature
06 Apr 2023
How tech leaders can develop an IT sustainability plan
Sustainability is on many tech leaders' minds, but knowing where to start can be daunting. CIO Niklas Sundberg shares his experience building an IT sustainability plan. Continue Reading
-
Feature
05 Apr 2023
6 ways to overcome data center staffing shortages
Retirements, skills gaps and tight budgets are all factors in recent data center staffing shortages. Focus on recruitment, training and other areas to attract more candidates. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Apr 2023
How to avoid remote software engineer burnout
Software developer burnout is real. Here are some strategies programmers can use to avoid it. Continue Reading
-
Feature
03 Apr 2023
Who profits from open source maintainers' work?
Open source is critical to the tech industry, but nearly half of maintainers work unpaid -- and the situation is becoming untenable amid rising corporate use and security concerns. Continue Reading
-
Definition
31 Mar 2023
IT performance management
IT performance management is the supervision of an organization's IT infrastructure to ensure key performance indicators, service levels and budgets comply with the organization's goals. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Mar 2023
How to choose IT operations metrics that deliver real value
The sheer volume of data collected in today's IT environments can be overwhelming. But by focusing on the user experience, IT ops teams can pinpoint the metrics that matter most. Continue Reading
-
Definition
21 Mar 2023
management information systems (MIS)
Management information systems (MIS) is a department within an enterprise responsible for controlling the hardware and software systems that the organization uses to make business-critical decisions. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Mar 2023
How ChatGPT and generative AI will affect IT operations
As generative AI programs improve, they raise questions for many engineering disciplines about the future of work -- and IT operations is no exception. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Mar 2023
Tech for sustainability: What IT and developers can do
With the tech industry under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, developers and IT ops have an essential role to play in sustainability initiatives. Continue Reading
-
Definition
10 Mar 2023
early adopter
An early adopter refers to a person who embraces new technology or tries a new product before most others. Continue Reading
-
Definition
09 Mar 2023
IBM Roadrunner
Roadrunner was a supercomputer developed by IBM at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Continue Reading
-
Definition
07 Mar 2023
proof of concept (POC)
A proof of concept (POC) is a demonstration of a product in which work is focused on determining whether an idea can be turned into a reality. Continue Reading
-
Definition
03 Mar 2023
hard skills
Hard skills are specific abilities, capabilities and skill sets that an individual can possess and demonstrate in a measured way. Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Feb 2023
What to do after a layoff: Everything you need to know
Layoffs often happen suddenly for reasons outside your control. If they happen, focus on what you can control. Continue Reading
-
Definition
24 Feb 2023
sudo (su 'do')
Sudo is a command-line utility for Unix and Unix-based operating systems such as Linux and macOS. Continue Reading
-
Definition
14 Feb 2023
crontab
Crontab is a Unix command that creates a table or list of commands, each of which is to be executed by the operating system (OS) at a specified time and on a regular schedule. Continue Reading
-
Definition
10 Feb 2023
Gartner
Gartner is an IT research firm and consultancy, formerly known as Gartner Group. Continue Reading
-
Feature
09 Feb 2023
Top 9 most in-demand tech jobs of 2023
For job seekers in 2023, it's important to find a role that will be in high demand both now and in the coming years. Here are nine of the most promising jobs in technology. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Jan 2023
chief operating officer (COO)
A chief operating officer (COO) is the corporate executive who oversees ongoing business operations within the company. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Jan 2023
AV (audio/video)
AV, an abbreviation for audio/video, is frequently used as a generic term for the audio and video components and capabilities in home entertainment systems and related product descriptions and reviews. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
27 Jan 2023
Where IT operations management is headed in 2023
Between an economic downturn and increasing technical complexity, IT ops management faces a challenging year. An expert analyst shares his predictions for areas of focus in 2023. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Jan 2023
10 best entry-level tech jobs in 2023
There are tech jobs for people with all backgrounds and experience levels. The technology field is changing, and there are several career paths to consider. Continue Reading
-
Tutorial
23 Jan 2023
Try out PowerShell grep equivalents with these examples
Though less well known than grep, PowerShell cmdlets such as Select-String have extensive search capabilities in their own right. Explore use cases for both in this tutorial. Continue Reading
-
Feature
29 Dec 2022
What's next: Predictions, challenges and IT trends for 2023
As organizations look to address ongoing ops skills shortages and increasing complexity in their IT environments, they'll invest in cybersecurity, AI and automation. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Dec 2022
Review the top IT operations news stories of 2022
2022 was full of industry updates, company shake-ups and emerging technologies. Review the highlights of this year's IT ops news to prepare for what's next in 2023. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Dec 2022
Geek gifts 2022: Business travel essentials and music-making
For better or for worse, the world re-opened this year, renewing geeks' need for business travel accessories, while others sought to explore their musical creativity. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Dec 2022
What makes a good IT operations manager?
Making the jump to management can be challenging for IT ops professionals; leadership positions often require a different skill set than technical roles. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Nov 2022
Fresh crop of IT automation tools targets platform engineers
As enterprise IT shifts from full-stack DevOps to platform engineering, IT automation tools reinvented for the Kubernetes era can reduce toil for operators. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Nov 2022
Security AI shifts left into DevSecOps
DevSecOps vendors such as GitLab and Palo Alto's Prisma Cloud embrace security AI throughout the software development lifecycle, as IT trust in AI grows. Continue Reading
-
Feature
31 Oct 2022
10 tech jobs that don't require a degree
Not all tech jobs require a college degree. Some of these jobs -- such as network engineer, cybersecurity analyst and web developer -- are in high demand and offer online training. Continue Reading